TravelWorks.co.uk » Volunteer Abroad » Argentina » FAQ
Gap year in Argentina
Don’t cry for me Argentina – when it comes to this Latin American country, it's almost impossible not to envision tango dancers, cowboy-like Gauchos, the once-triumphant football legend Diego Maradona or, of course, the influential leader Eva “Evita” Peron. Despite severe economic crises, Argentina remains a popular travel destination, definitely worth more than one visit.
Can I participate if I’m not from the UK?
Do I need to take a test to prove my Spanish skill level?
Do I need special references or experience to participate?
Can I participate with a friend?
Can I combine my volunteer work in Argentina with a volunteer programme in another country?
What projects can I volunteer for?
When will I find out which project I will be working on?
What is the health/safety situation in Argentina? Do I need vaccinations?
Do I need to apply for a visa?
Should I buy travel insurance?
How much money should I expect to spend on extra costs such as extra travel and food?
What will my accommodation be like?
Will I live and work with other volunteers?
Is there a way for me to contact the other volunteers before I depart for Argentina?
When will I find out about my host family?
How much time will I actually spend learning Spanish and volunteering? Will I have free time?
Do I need to bring any materials for my volunteering project?
How are the language school and classes organised?
When can I start the programme?
Will I earn money during my project work?
Can I participate if I’m not from the UK?
Yes. Participants from the United Kingdom and the United States are welcome, as well as citizens of other countries. If you are from another country, we will have to check your country’s visa requirements to see if you can participate in the gap year in Argentina programme.
Do I need to take a test to prove my Spanish skill level?
When you arrive in Argentina, you will take a test, which will place you in the Spanish class corresponding to your Spanish skill level. You do not need to have any knowledge of Spanish in order to participate in the gap year in Argentina. Complete beginners can simply enrol in the beginners’ course.
Do I need special references or experience to participate?
No. You do not need to have any specific teaching, educational, or work experience in order to participate in the gap year in Argentina programme. However, any special skills which you could use as you volunteer would be both helpful and welcomed. Motivation, flexibility, and personal initiative are the most important qualities you can bring to your volunteer project in Argentina.
Is there an age limit?
No, there is no upper age limit for the gap year in Argentina programme, although you must be at least 18 years old in order to participate. Most participants are between 18 and 30 years of age. If you are older than this, you are still welcome to participate in the programme, but you should know that it is rather unlikely that you will meet people your own age on location.
Can I participate with a friend?
Yes. When you apply, you can list a travel partner, and we are generally able to place travel partners together at the same project. However, we cannot guarantee 100% that you will be placed in the same project during your gap year in Argentina.
Can I combine my volunteer work in Argentina with a volunteer programme in another country?
Yes. It is often possible to combine programmes. Feel free to contact TravelWorks for more information.
What projects can I volunteer for?
During your gap year in Argentina, you will have the chance to work in social or educational projects, or in projects in which you would inform people about how to stay healthy. All projects are in and around Buenos Aires. You should be aware that Buenos Aires is a large metropolis; trips within the city may be longer than you may expect them to be.
Before your departure, you will receive a list of volunteer projects, and you will have the chance to list your top three preferences. Our partner organisation in Argentina is usually able to place volunteers with one of their top project choices. However, if there are many volunteers participating at the same time as yourself, you should be flexible enough to work on other similar projects, which may not have been among your top choices.
When will I find out which project I will be working on?
We will let you know three weeks before your departure which project you will be working on during your gap year in Argentina.
What is the health/safety situation in Argentina? Do I need vaccinations?
Argentina is a safe and politically stabile country, where women are able to travel alone. However, there are certain safety precautions which travellers should follow. For example, travel only during the day, carry your luggage in your lap on the bus, and do not wear expensive jewellery. Our partner organisation in Argentina can give you helpful information about which travel routes you should take and which areas of the country you should avoid for safety reasons. Current information about travelling safely in Argentina and other countries is available at www.fco.gov.uk and travel.state.gov.
Before your trip to Argentina, you may need to get vaccinations. Exactly which vaccinations you will need will depend on your specific travel destinations in the country. Therefore, you should definitely go to a doctor for advice about necessary vaccinations and health precautions. You should do this as early as you can, to make sure you get the proper vaccinations in time. You can find useful information regarding vaccinations at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.
Do I need to apply for a visa?
No, citizens of the United Kingdom and the United States do not need a visa to enter Argentina for stays of 90 days or fewer. However, you will need to make sure that your passport will be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival in Argentina. Upon your arrival in Argentina, you will also need to show proof that you have a confirmed onward or return flight out of Argentina.
It is possible to extend your stay beyond 90 days, once you are already in Argentina. Our local partner organisation in Argentina can help you with this.
Please note that you must book your return flight before you arrive in Argentina – for a maximum stay of 90 days. You can re-book your flight when you arrive at your destination. If you have a flight transfer in the United States, you must follow the terms and conditions for entry into the U.S. You can find further information at www.usembassy.org.uk.
If you are not from the United Kindom or the United States, we will need to check your country’s visa requirements to see if you can participate.
Should I buy travel insurance?
Yes, we strongly recommend that you get travel insurance to protect yourself abroad. WorldNomads offers flexible travel insurance for short-term and gap-year travellers like yourself. Note that this is only a recommendation. Feel free to search for the travel insurance which is right for you.
How much money should I expect to spend on extra costs such as extra travel and food?
You should expect to pay about £360 (US$ 600 / 400 €) per month in extra costs, for excursions, souvenirs, nights out, etc. Of course, this will depend on your personal lifestyle, so you may pay more or less than this in the course of your gap year in Argentina. You should factor the following expenses into your trip’s budget:
- Flight ticket
- Travel insurance
- Vaccinations
- Meals
- Miscellaneous personal expenses
What will my accommodation be like?
During the language course, you will live with a host family at half board (including breakfast and dinner). During your volunteer work, you will live in a shared flat.
Will I have a kitchen?
Yes, you will have a kitchen where you will be able to prepare your own meals if you are living in a dormitory. Host families have kitchens as well, and will provide you with breakfast and dinner.
Will I live and work with other volunteers?
You will probably share a room with other volunteers during your gap year in Argentina, but this is not guaranteed. You will also most likely be working with other volunteers. Whatever the case may be, you will definitely meet fellow volunteers during your Spanish language class.
Is there a volunteer “base”?
Your volunteer “base” during the gap year in Argentina will be your Spanish school. Here, you will have access to information about Argentina, and staff members from our partner organisation, who are there to help if you have any questions or problems. Internet access is available nearby.
Is there a way for me to contact the other volunteers before I depart for Argentina?
Three weeks before your departure we will send you a list of the other volunteers who will be travelling with you, including their e-mail addresses.
When will I find out about my host family?
You will find out who your host family is shortly after you have arrived in Argentina.
How much time will I actually spend learning Spanish and volunteering? Will I have free time?
You will spend about 20 hours per week in your Spanish class, and will have free time at the weekend. The length of time you spend working each day will depend on which project you are doing. In most projects, you will be working 4 to 8 hours a day and will have free time at the weekend during your gap year in Argentina.
Do I need to bring any materials for my volunteering project?
You are not required to bring anything along for your volunteering project, but you can if you would like. For example, if you are working with children, you could bring along art supplies for them to use.
How are the language school and classes organised?
The Spanish language classes consist of small groups of no more than 5 students. At the beginning of your gap year in Argentina, you will take a Spanish placement test, which will be used to place you in the Spanish course corresponding to your Spanish skill level. You will have four classes each day, each lasting 50 minutes. After the language course, you will be able to communicate well enough in Spanish to begin your volunteer work. Many of the social volunteer projects involve working with children. In these projects, good knowledge of the Spanish language is especially helpful.
At the weekends, you will have free time to go on excursions, which you can book at the language school. The staff of the language school is always there to help if you have any questions or problems during your gap year in Argentina.
When can I start the programme?
The gap year in Argentina programme begins at least once a month. Participants with knowledge of Spanish can start the programme on any Monday, year round.
Will I earn money during my project work?
No, this is volunteer work! This means that through your work, you are supporting people in need and assisting in projects, which usually have barely enough money to cover their own essential expenses. Please do not expect payment for your volunteer work. Instead, look at this as an amazing opportunity to help people and gain meaningful life experiences.
What are my next steps?
If you decide to participate in the gap year in Argentina programme, just fill out the PDF or online Booking Form. Please note that if you are booking online you will need a credit card (we accept Visa or MasterCard). If you choose the PDF booking form, please print, fill out, and sign the form before faxing it to TravelWorks. As soon as we have received your application, we will process your booking. At this point your application will be legally binding. We will contact you if we need any additional information.
You will receive various application materials by e-mail after you have applied for the gap year in Argentina programme. These documents need to be completed and returned to TravelWorks.
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